A friend of mine with an Aluminum bike is interested in doing some upgrades to smooth out his ride. I suggested a CF fork and or seatpost ( wich made a difference to me). But a LBS employee has convinced him that a suspension seatpost would be the best investment. I was wondering if any one here thinks that is valid. I would think that all the bouncing from the seatpost as you pedal would make one less efficient. If anyone has any thoughts on this I would like to hear them. Thanks

re: Suspension seatpost on a roadbike

AkirashoMay 14, 2002 1:35 PM

... of course your friend should feel free to do whatever works best for them, I've never been partial to any type of suspension that changes my effective saddle height while seated.

Perhaps, moreso on a road bike, a person can appreciate sublte differences in saddle height over the long haul... still, many riders adapt... such as those who use and love Softrides.

While there is debate over the perceived effect of seatpost material with respect to ride qualities, your friend might also consider a Ti railed saddle (over a suspension post, which would also come with a weight penalty)... or worst case (from a cost POV) a new frame.

We abide.

Remain In Light.

Nuh uh

PODIUMBOUNDdotCAMay 14, 2002 1:42 PM

I've heard a carbon bar + carbon fork smooths out the ride on the front end incredibly. So a carbon seatpost would probably definitely help. A suspension seatpost on a road bike is complete crap to me though. Even on a mountain bike it is. Just due to the fact it changes your saddle height and if you pull up properly you'd be pulling the seatpost down. And since your just on the road you'd only need like 5 mm travel at most to smooth out the ride. So I'd say carbon seatpost and fork for sure would help then possibly even a saddle with eurothane bumpers and if you can afford it on top of all these other upgrades I've heard carbon bars are fricking amazing.

My 2 cents,
Nick Corcoran
PodiumBound.ca

Start with the tires

jtollesonMay 14, 2002 2:13 PM

Folks certainly do it, and I know one or two who log decent miles and swear by it. I've remained skeptical. The solution is being on the right bike, and suspension seatposts have always struck me as a costly and heavy stop-gap that covers up for other things.

Although I have a CF seatpost, I'm skeptical that it makes a significant difference. I like the swanky looks. The right saddle (ditto to ti rails) can help.

But the biggest improvement may be if he can fit 700X25 or even 700X28 tires. It will definitely soften his ride at a fraction of the cost.

You didn't say what kind of AL frame or how old, but adding a decent fork and seatpost could run $300 easily, and if the bike ultimately is an older rough rider, that may not be money well spent.

My vote: start with the tires.

Agree @ tires, but a post WILL help

retroMay 14, 2002 2:19 PM

I don't have it on anymore, but when I bought a Thudbuster for my mountain bike, I put the cheap suspension post it replaced on my roadie just to try it out. Worked fine, took out the little buzzy bumps and probably reduced fatigue a bit. I prefer the ride of fat (35mm) tires, but if I had a bike that wouldn't fit them, I'd probably put the seatpost back. The changing height people always seem to worry about doesn't bother me at all--I'm not aware of it even with the long travel of the Thudbuster.

I'll third the tire suggestion.

AhimsaMay 14, 2002 5:59 PM

An oft overlooked comfort (among other things) "improver" in this weight weenie world of modern cycling is the 28 tire. Rolling resistance schmolling resistance.

Be a rebel, ride a bigger tire. Doors will open to you. Food will taste better. Sex will last longer. You will be a changed man.

Cheers!

A. (Never looks at anything under 25...unless it's a woman)

re: Suspension seatpost on a roadbike

Chaz_cyclesMay 14, 2002 2:58 PM

He should try it. They don't cost that much. I have a friend who loves his. He does not seem to mind the slight change in saddle height. Whay ever works to keeps you enjoying the ride is just fine.

Saddle height change? I doubt it.

czardonicMay 14, 2002 3:04 PM

I have an RS suspension post on my mountain bike, and I beg to differ with those who say that it will change the effective saddle height. Sure, it will compress when it is actually absorbing a jolt, but other than that it will rest pretty much constantly at its "sag" point. It will reduce efficiency while in motion, but that is only a tiny fraction of the time.

The real penalty is the added weight, which can be considerable. Any buzzy feeling or minor vibrations are probably best addressed at the tire level. The suspension post will definitely help reduce the shock of larger bumps and dips.

I hate to open a can of worms here, but I am highly suspicious of the purported shock absorbing effects of a carbon CF seatpost. Any vibration slight enough to be absorbed by that short a length of CF material would already be absorbed by the tires, no? And if not the tires, the padding on your saddle. Maybe a CF post would prevent virations caused by the drivetrain from being carried to the saddle. And speaking of the saddle, doesn't that also compresses and expand, thus changing the distance between your hips and the pedals?

Call me a skeptic, but CF hype smacks just slightly of the placebo effect.

How About a new saddle

Alpedhuez55May 14, 2002 5:04 PM

I would say a larger tire would help a lot. I would also look for a new saddle. I was using a Selle Royal with elastomers on one of my bike. I think Fizik uses the same system since they are made by Selle Royal. It was not suspension so to speak, but it took a little of the vibration out of the road. It also does not effect pedalling efficiency which can happen with a suspension seat post.

Good Luck!!!
Mike Y.

re: Suspension seatpost on a roadbike

mlesterMay 15, 2002 3:01 AM

Hey Josh,
Thanks for asking questions for me...I think after reading all the hits on this, that I am going CF. For those wondering the bike is this years model Felt F75. So any money put in now is money well spent. Thanks for all the input on this subject.

I am what I am and that's all that I am...

A final thought on suspension seatposts (I've used one)

KristinMay 15, 2002 6:14 AM

My hybrid (before the road bike) came with a suspension seatpost. You'll never get a bruise again; but you will bounce. You'll bounce a lot. You'll hate high cadence spinning. I'm not an engineer, and I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong; but it seems that anytime something flexes or gives on the bike some power is lost. A suspension seat post flexes a lot. Personally, I wouldn't get one again.

I'm dealing with the same problem on my bike as you. I've gotten all the same suggestions as are posted here. New wheels, 25" tires, handlebar padding, new bars. I decided to go with the CF fork as well.